Do Homeowners Insurance the Easy Way

What many people think: Buying homeowners insurance is complicated. Time-consuming. A drag. A pain in, well, the neck. I paid too much, and I'm still not sure I have the coverage I really need in case of an emergency.

What HomeownersInsurance.com users know: Buying homeowners insurance is simple. Easy. Painless. I got coverage I can count on at a really good price.

Why the disconnect when it comes to purchasing home insurance?

The HomeownersInsurance.com advantage:

People who don't use the HomeownersInsurance.com website have to navigate the process themselves, which can be both time consuming and highly frustrating. People who come here to launch their search for coverage have a secret weapon – our team of licensed agents. Our agents will help you reach your destination – great coverage at an affordable price.

What you need to buy homeowners insurance

A licensed agent at HomeownersInsurance.com will need some basic information before securing your quote. Here are some of the questions you'll likely be asked:

The year your home was built.

The year of any updates to the roof or plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.

The type of roof you have.

The type of foundation.

The distance from the nearest fire station and hydrant.

The type of heating/cooling system you have.

Whether you operate a business out of the home.

Whether you have a dog and, if so, what breed it is.

Homeowners insurance – what it covers

When you purchase a homeowners insurance policy, you're buying protection for a number of specified perils as wind, hail, fire, and others, including theft.

Standard home insurance policies typically cover the physical structure of your home, other structures such as sheds and detached garages, and your possessions, including furniture, electronics, and clothing. Should your home become uninhabitable because of a covered peril, your policy also can help pay your additional living expenses, including restaurant and hotel bills. Last but not least, there’s liability coverage in case you're deemed responsible for property damage or an injury.

What's not covered by a standard policy? Flooding, earthquakes, sinkholes, and sewer backups. You'll need separate protection for each of these.

What does homeowners insurance cost?

How much homeowners insurance costs depends on a number of factors, including which state you live in. Why does that matter? Because the potential risks can be much greater in some states than in other. For example, homeowners in a state in Tornado Alley could expect to pay higher premiums than those in a state that doesn't face major weather threats.

The other way your location plays into setting homeowners insurance premiums is through local building costs. Much of your premium is based on how much it would cost to rebuild your home in case it is destroyed by a covered peril. That can vary even within a state.

Other factors in setting your premium include the following:

The size and age of your house.
The age of your house, particularly the age of such features as your roof and your plumbing and electrical systems, can help predict the likelihood that you'll file a claim. Older roofs can be much more vulnerable to damage from covered perils such as wind and hail. Older plumbing can lead to water damage from burst pipes. Older electrical systems can be more prone to fire.

Your claims history.Insurance providers believe that customers who have filed claims in the past are much more likely to file claims moving forward.

Your credit report.What's credit have to do with premiums? Providers believe parts of your credit report can help them predict your likelihood of filing claims.

How can you pay less for home insurance?

Most homeowners insurance providers offer a number of discounts to help lower your premiums. These price breaks, however, vary greatly by provider and state. Here are some common ways you can save:

Bundle: If you purchase home and auto insurance from the save provider, you can save on your premium.

Make your home more secure: AAdding a security system can result in savings. Don't want to go that far? Adding deadbolt locks on exterior doors can also help you save.

Reduce fire risks: Adding smoke alarms can result in a price break.

One other way to save on your premiums is to increase your deductible – the amount you pay out of pocket when filing a claim. However, it's important to keep your deductible at a level you'd feel comfortable paying should it be necessary to file a claim.

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*Customers who purchased home and auto insurance through HomeInsurance.com between October 2008 and December 2008 reported an average savings of $556/year on their homeowners insurance. Actual customer savings may vary and depend upon discount qualification.